Kampala — The Government has dispatched three judges and state attorneys to Masindi district to clear a backlog of criminal cases in the Bunyoro sub-region.

Justices Atwooki Rugadya, Edison Kwesiga and Owiny Dollo will handle 150 capital offences involving 230 accused persons in Hoima, Masindi, Buliisa and Kibaale districts in 40 days.

Among the cases is one involving the Buhaguzi MP, Tom Kyahurwenda, who is said to have murdered his sister Margaret Nsungwa in 2008.

Rugadya told the district leaders and security officials at the Masindi High Court chambers on Monday that the judges would conduct quick criminal sessions to get rid of the delayed cases.

Rugadya said the sessions were aimed at decongesting prisons and to ensure that justice is done. He asked the Government to respect the decisions of the court, and follow the proper channels to appeal against cases it feels have not been properly handled.

Owinyi, a resident High Court judge for Fort Portal, said the success of any case depended on the witnesses. He called on the district leaders to use the local FM radio stations to mobilise witnesses in the cases to be handled.

"We want to make sure that at the end of our 40 days, we shall have granted justice in this area," he said. Masindi High Court deputy registrar Margaret Mutonyi said the Government had also sent state attorneys and defense lawyers to the region to ensure that justice is done.

She added that 74 murder cases, 46 of defilement, 15 of rape and 15 of aggravated robbery would be handled. The Masindi resident district commissioner, William Kabarole, said the Government would continue to provide an enabling environment to the Judiciary to clear the huge case backlog in the country.